New Orleans

Saints

The fully guaranteed contract includes annual roster bonus structure, meaning Shough would receiver the bulk of his yearly compensation each year during the first week of training camp. At pick No. 40, Shough now becomes the latest draft pick to receive a fully guaranteed contract and also the only pick from the 2025 class to receiver the annual roster bonus. While reports out of New Orleans continue to indicate a legitimate battle for the starting job under center heading into the new season, this contract seems to suggest the team is investing heavily in Shough as their quarterback of the future. Wether or not we see the Saints take a muted approach to the 2025 season to better set themselves up for an impending rebuild remains to be seen, but the collective fantasy community should surely view this as a plus for Shough’s chances of starting the regular season under center for the Saints.

The details of the contract haven’t been leaked yet, but a two-year deal suggests Mims is now the favorite for the RB3 job in Tennessee. Mims entered the league as a UDFA with the Bills in 2023 but was cut at the end of training camp. He landed on the Saints’ practice squad and has been called up as a depth piece several times over the past two years. Mims rushed 20 times for 70 yards and added 12 catches for 71 yards in 11 appearances last season. He will likely see most of his work on special teams with the Titans unless something happens to Tony Pollard or Tyjae Spears.

It’s possible Moreau is just trying to speak positively of a quarterback room that could be in flux for much of the 2025 season, but the veteran tight end said neither Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler did much to separate themselves from one another during offseason programs. Shough was selected at No. 40 overall by the Saints in this year’s draft, and will almost certainly get a chance to start at some point in the season, but Rattler could also get a look after throwing for 1,317-4-5 in seven games as a rookie. Rattler only completed 57 percent of his passes last season, and doesn’t have much promise as a fifth-round pick, but there may be room for him to see some action in what might be the worst QB room in the league this season. Regardless, this competition will one to watch throughout the offseason as first-year head coach Kellen Moore hopes to find a reliable option come Week 1.

Shough is the frontrunner for the Saints’ starting job and believes he can work through adversity to take on the opportunity. When Derek Carr retired on May 10, Shough said head coach Kellen Moore gave him “a bit of a heads-up”, preparing him for the opportunity to take the reigns. Though he will turn 26-years-old as a rookie, Shough’s college career working through injuries equips him with experience. He will still need to earn the starting job, but Shough is the favorite and is prepared to weather a storm of struggles. He will be a borderline QB2 in SuperFlex leagues as the starter.

Akers’ audition at the Saints’ June 10-12 mandatory minicamp was a success. The development is bad news for Kendre Miller, Devin Neal and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The trio was competing for the No. 2 spot behind the soon-to-be 30-year-old Alvin Kamara, who could use a reliable rushing complement. Akers ran well last year, playing for both the Texans and Vikings. Active for Weeks 9-Wild Card Weekend with the latter team, Akers averaged 4.9 yards per carry and 3.0 yards after contact. The depth chart is not yet set in stone, but Akers is best treated as the presumed No. 2 at this time.

A forgotten man in New Orleans, Hill suffered a late-season torn ACL and will likely not be ready for the start of the season. Already, Moore conceded that “training camp would be ambitious” per NOLA’s Luke Johnson. Hill is entering his age-35 season and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Saints tampered down his workload when he does return to siphon snaps to younger players in what certainly appears to be a rebuilding season.

Saints beat reporter Nick Underhill sourced the report, which indicates the team is not fully happy with the state of their backfield, consisting of Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, 2025 sixth-round pick Devin Neal, former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, former wide receiver Velus Jones, and Xazavian Valladay. They’ll see what Akers has left in the tank, with their ultimate goal being to eventually trade him to the Vikings in Week 7, as is NFL tradition.

The Saints make sense as a landing spot. Davis can compete against relatively soft competition for the No. 3 role, which could allow him to get his career back on track after a disappointing 2024 season. He’s been popular on the tryout circuit, with visits to the Steelers, Giants, and 49ers this offseason.

The Saints also “have been involved to some degree.” Fowler also notes that “multiple outlets reported” on Chubb’s scheduled visit and expected signing with the Texans, but Fowler stopped short of fully backing the claim. Per Fowler, going to a contender is important to Chubb, who plans to sign as soon as Monday. Stay tuned.